Wednesday, February 27, 2008

Bishop Francisco Claver said calling for Arroyo’s resignation could weaken the country’s democratic institutions. Claver said many had apparently misinterpreted the bishops’ call for communal action as an endorsement of another people power to remove Arroyo. The CBCP invited Fr. Joaquin Bernas, a constitutional expert, to explain how the country’s democratic institutions can be strengthened. In a recent newspaper column, Bernas said it would be better to push for the abolition of EO 464 than call for Arroyo’s resignation since it was unlikely Arroyo would heed the call to quit.

Palace thanks CBCP

Malacañang, meanwhile, immediately issued a statement welcoming CBCP's decision."We welcome the statement of the CBCP which exhorts everyone to fight corruption and search for truth," he said. "The recommendations addressed to the executive, the legislature and the media certainly deserve very serious consideration," he added.